The second race in the Triple Crown Series will take place this weekend at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness Stakes, which consists of a field of 14 horses, is scheduled for a 4:30pm ET start this Saturday and will be broadcast live on NBC. 2009 Preakness Picks at BetUS.com has filly Rachel Alexandra listed as a +100 moneyline favorite to win the 134th Run for the Black Eyed Susans. 
Rachel Alexandra will enter the Preakness Stakes as a supplemental entry, which will cost her owners, Stonestreet Stables, an extra $100,000. However, since they recently paid a few million to acquire the mare, they no doubt feel she is capable of returning on the investment. Given her track record, that is not a ridiculous thought.
Alexandra has won seven of her last nine races (five in a row), including a Kentucky Oaks victory that came by an incredible 20 3/4 lengths. Her pedigree is impressive as well as she was sired by Medaglia d'Oro, a stakes winner in eight races. d'Oro has also sired seven stakes winners.
The highly regarded filly did track work at Churchill Downs earlier this week and new co-owner Jess Jackson feels good about her chances as a 2009 Preakness Picks.
"Rachel Alexandra had an impressive workout [on Sunday]" Jackson told the Preakness' official website. "She is ready to run in the Preakness."
Jockey Calvin Borel, who became just the seventh rider to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby in the same year, will have the mount for Alexandra this weekend. Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to Derby glory on May 2nd, was scheduled to ride the surprise winner at the Preakness as well. That changed when Rachel was allowed enter this weekend's race. The Louisiana native had made a prior commitment to ride the filly and he is keeping with that obligation.
The Preakness Stakes will be the longest race that Rachel Alexandra has participated in, despite it being the shortest event in the Triple Crown Series.
BetUS.com 2009 Preakness Picks:
Rachel Alexandra +100
Mine That Bird +375
Pioneerof The Nile +500
Musket Man +700
Papa Clem +700
General Quarters +1000
Friesan Fire +700
Flying Private +2200
Take The Points +2200
Big Drama +1600
Terrain +3300
Tone It Down +4500
Luv Gov +3000
BetUS.com has all of your favorites to win the Preakness Stakes. Visit them today to get in your 2009 Preakness Picks and get a 50 percent bonus on your first deposit.
